November 2009-Starting Chemo

micheleboots

Melinda, did I miss something...just read Brendas post?

Melinda41

Oh, I am NOT pregnant, unless there was an alien abduction and they took my kidney and impregnated me.

But, before I officially start the guinea pig cancer trial, they do a test.

I repeat, I am NOT pregnant!

It is so heartwarming to read about all the monkies on the other side of the fence (did I spell monkies right? It looks funny).

edited: I did spell Monkeys wrong, damn chemo brain!

SharaD

Congratulations on the great pep talk from your doc, Brenda!

 Now, is he saying that eating Mickey D's while being injected will decrease our chances for a recurrence?   If so,I want in on that trial.  I think I'll have a double cheeseburger on Monday with my Decadron, and a couple of Shamrock shakes with my TX. 

 Hell, I'll even try sitting on a Big Mac all day if you think it might help my hemorrhoids!

BrendaSharon

SharD,

God bless you, you crack me up. I did eat a whole lot of double cheeseburgers my entire time going thru chemo. I don't know why but that greasy crap was always good to me. If all it took wa a McDouble power to the Big Mac. BUT, i believe the Red Devil done the work!!~~~You are such a hoot and i love to hear from you. The fact that I did eat well during the entire chemo was a big help.

Melinda,

Thank the Lord you are not prego!!!!~~~~

Me, myself and I am so happy today, we are beside ourselves,it's blinding me~~~~

JustmeAlicia

Melinda ~ glad you don't have a bun in the oven.  GEEZ... that is all you would NEED. 

SharaD ~ thanks as usual for the laugh !  As if I am not big enough, now all this talk of Mickey D's and I want IT ! 

I am feeling pretty good today, motrin is doing the trick for any pain.  I already made dinner.  Chicken parmigiana and a big salad.  AND I just gave myself a pedicure and tried to put some make up on my 3 eyelashes.  I look a bit better.  I have these furry flip flops on made by Clarks in the shape of a breast cancer ribbon they are too cute !  It's cold here but doing my toes makes me feel pretty ~ so I figured it was about time.  The past 6 months I surely have not been taking care of myself.  It is time to start again.  I need to lose some weight !!!!!!!!! 

Hope everyone is good  ~ good luck to the girls having TX today !

Alicia

Psalm121

Congratulations BrendaSharon!  So very happy for you.  You have always been such an inspiration to me, so much thoughtfulness and consideration for everyone!!!  I swear I craved stuff during chemo just like I did when I was pregnant!  Did you crave cheeseburgers?  I'm 5 weeks out from last chemo and I am really starting to feel much better this week.  Went back to work, half-days so far, but it sure is nice to be back in the world and not be in so much fear of germs and fevers, etc.  And, boy-o do those cheeseburgers really taste great now!!!  and pizza, and coffee, and chocolate, and onions, and orange juice......not necessarily in that order!

I am still stiff and achy, but learned from another thread that there is such a thing as post-chemo rheumatism...?  I'm very curious about that, sounds just like what I'm experiencing.  Read somewhere else on here too that "we may be done with chemo, but chemo is not done with us".  Whoever said that was so right...does anyone know how long this stuff affects us?

Best wishes all, I'm always thinking of you and keeping you close in my heart and in my prayers.

micheleboots

Alicia, those flipflops sound cute...

Sharad, man you make me laugh...

Did someone say Mcdonalds...OMG, I never had the cravings when I was prego like I did through chemo.  If someone mentioned a food I wanted it...crazy eh?

JustmeAlicia

These are the flip flops.  So comfy and toasty.  Nice to have my feet out even if it is in the house!  Zappos.com has them.

Alicia

Cafelovr

Hi Everyone!

I have a lot of catching up to do! I've spent the past 4 days in the hospital due to a stomach issue. Dehydration and shots into the stomach are not fun, but at least it wasn't something more serious! The onco doesn't know if it's the chemo reacting to my stomach or if it's simply a virus.

Alicia & Brenda...You both are done?! Congrats. I'll post once I catch up

 Luv to All!

Sherri_V

Hi everyone!  I had my hysterectomy & lumpectomy on Monday.  I was released from the hospital yesterday afternoon.  I'm pretty sore and, of course, I'm quite anxious for pathology reports.  I have a follow-up with breast surgeon next Wednesday.  The tumor was quite a bit larger than anticipated.  My dr. took a photo of it for me.  Gross looking...both husband and brother in law agree that it looks like a piece of orange chicken from Panda Express!

I will be glad to finally KNOW something...hate that today is Friday, knowing that my report is on dr's desk but he was at a medical conference today...it'll be a tough weekend to get through.

micheleboots

Linda, sorry to hear you had to go through a rough couple of days...glad you are back..

Sherri, will say a prayer that all is A OK..

JustmeAlicia

Linda ~ healing hugs, hope you are feeling better.  Hope to hear more from you soon.

Sherri ~ GLAD your surgery is behind you.  Hopefully now the worst is over and you can get done with this and move on.  You don't know if you need more chemo yet right?!  Try to relax this weekend and just let your body heal.  You will know where to go from here on Monday I hope. 

(((Hugs)))

Alicia

Melinda41

Sherri: Hope you are getting through the weekend OK, waiting sucks! Here's to great news on Monday.

Linda: Hope you are on the mend and having a great weekend.

I worked at the nursing home without a hat this weekend, hot flashes make my head feel like it is on fire.

Now I am trying to decide which craving to give into, crab rangoons maybe?

micheleboots

Whatever crab rangoons are they sound good.  send me some.

joanneasiata

HI ALL

Ive been feeling pretty darn good theses last few days back to my old self lots of energy  ,so i took my self of to work today  and had a great time my work days are sat and Mondays now hoping that rads will fit in with times

Hope every one is doing great, good luck SLV on your results

JustmeAlicia

Greetings from Vermont Girls !!  I don't know if it is the cold mountain air or the steroids leaving my system.... But ~ my sweaty feeling and crazy heart palpitations haven't happened in about 24 hours.  IT feels so good to almost feel NORMAL.  1 week ago today was my last chemo infusion.  Woo HOO.  Hope everyone is doing well and those having treatments this week have minimal SE's.

Hugs ~

Alicia

BrendaSharon

SLV,

Ouchey wee wee Sheri

I know you are anxious for the weekend to be over as to get your results. Bless your heart. Hugging and Hoping all to be OK for you~~~~Let's hear some good news :-)

Alicia,

I love the flops, I want some too~~~~~Adorable~~~Oh, I was only 4 days post chemo on Saturday. It was very chilly here in N. Florida and I was loving it. I even wore my HAIR!!! My DH was loving it on me~~ !! I am so excited the end is near. Normal does feel so dang good for a bit  ~~~    Now, Just a little bit of RADS, no biggie, I HOPE and PRAY!!!

Melinda,

Talking about food, oh my Saturday I was feeling so good, I went to lunch with hubby and i was SO hungry (day 4 post chemo) I ordered and ATE #pieces of fried chicken mmm'mmm good and it came with Spaghetti and garlic bread on the side. YUM. I ate all of it except 1 piece of chicken. Then I even had a slice of hubby's pizza. On the way home I had to stop and get dessert. 2 cupcakes, 1 apple pie, 1 piece of hard Candy, he just laughed at me and said babe so good to see you feel so good!!!!

Joanne,

Now I need your work schedule!!! I 'm trying to figure out how to work 5 days a week and do my rads 5 days a week  ~~~ Chemo was at least only once every 3 so I didn't miss much work - just that one day every 3 weeks was all I missed. My boss will be OK with it, he will have to ~~ I need your magic wand please :-)\

CafeLovr,

My dear sweet Cafe, Ouchy  you too!!! How did you get so dang dehydrated????? Did you drink too much coffee and not enough water? The shots in the tum-tum OMG. How did you handle that???  (((((((((((((((((((Healing Hugs)))))))))))))))))))  to you!!!!

Psalms 121,

I craved Mickey D's the entire chemo time. I don't even like cheeseburgers nor McDonalds, except for the fish on a normal basis, but during this I had cheeseburgers any time I traveled anywhere. Hubby would ask what I wanted, I'd say cheeseburger please. He loved it, because usualy I didn't want those and he LOVES burgers. So it worked or him~~ Alos any power of suggestion would make me eat too, look at a picture, had to have it, one of the girls talking about what they ate, I had to have it. This was by far worse than ANY PREGO CRAVINGS I ever had~~~~Oh yeah, and even if Chemo isn't done with me, my SPIRITS are so good nothing could get me down right now. I feel more inspired than i have for some time now, bout 9 months I'd say. Thanks for your kind words!!!

To all Warrriors, peace and joy to each of you!

                           ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Joyful Hugs))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Cafelovr

Brenda, I got so dehydrated when everything I ate or drank promptly came out. Ewwwww. Not fun. My potassium levels crashed, thus the hospital visit. I'm just glad to be home where I can rest. Today is the first day in a week that my "issue" has been resolved. I'm actually at work today and feeling pretty good. I had to skip my Taxol tx, but I did get the Herceptin. Hopefully, I'll be back on course by Wednesday.

The dr said even though my RBC were up after my transfusion, they're not rebounding like they should.??? Advice ladies?

It's a rough time in my household. My hubby is overworked, my mother has borderline pneumonia, my daughter is off the wall, and I'm frazzled. Calgon, take me away! It's a rough time

cat60

Linda,  So sorry to hear you didnt feel well for the past week...It sucks to have to go through all these other issues when dealing with Chemo etc...Glad you are home resting some, even though its a rough time , each day will get better...I have read about B6 to help with RBC, dark green leafy vegys...? 

I had #2 Taxol/Herceptin treatment Friday..#3 this Friday...The SE's I had were some lower back discomfort, few joint pain, a little bit of chills....I wake up every night with Night Sweats....same time it seems ?? I know my Onco said T/H could shut down my ovaries ?  but still could get period again after t/h is complete ....my luck it will happen...I just turned 50 a few weeks ago..Onco did mentioned about Hormonal Treatment after also, I told her lets wait and discuss that after T/H is over...One thing at a time..

So glad to hear a few of us are done with Chemo ..Alica and Brenda Congrats...What a relief and Im sure you must be feeling better already...I know I had a break between chemo and surgery, and I felt great even though I had the surgery...

suzieq60

Hi everyone. Hope all tx's this week go OK. After tomorrow, only 1 more for me - yippee.

KayH: we haven't heard from you for ages, I hope you're OK.

Good to see SharaD popping in from time to time - I keep threatening my hubby with a long distance call from you.

Brenda: Radiation should only take 1/2 an hour all up, that's what I've been told. You should be able to fit in in the day. One lady I know has scheduled hers for around 6 pm so she can get parking easily and still not upset her work day. I still don't even want to think about it.

First steroids for the tx this morning - watch out everyone!!!!

Sue

BrendaSharon

Hi All,

Sue,

If only it where that simple. I live an hour and a half from where I get radiation treatment.  My oncologist is wonderful however. I really, really like her. I will have to work from 7:00am till 2:30pm, then drive 1.5 hours to TMRMC, to make their latest schedule allowed which is at 3:45pm. They said I would be totally done by 4:30pm at the latest, then I'll drive back home. Should be home by 6:00pm - 8:00pm, just depends, because I will probably be too tired to cook, so we will probably stop in the City of Tallahassee to eat before coming home to C-Belle on the coast. Then I'm sure I'll just hit the hay~~~ready for another day~~~ 

It's OK though I am so happy today again,  It's as if I'm having an out-of-body experience with all my good news, even though I feel a little puckish today I don't even care. My journey is almost over. (At least I feel like it is)

SueInFlu,

Congrats on your last Chemo yesterday, hope you are having little to no side effects, get some rest and be sure to drink those fluids. ((((HEALING HUGS)))))

Doronet,

Congrats on being totally done with chemo and Taxol  !!!!!!!  I think we will be doing Rads together soon  I feel the heat already~~~~~ See you round the corner

Cat60,

Thanks for the kind words, I am so excited, I too have to do meds for 5 years I'm not too worried with that, as long as I hear -0- % recurrence it is well worth any med they give me! I will have had it all, "The Surgery's (3) of them" "The Red Devil" "Toxic Cytoxan" Rads coming up, and then the meds, BUT I love my results so far, it has me completely inspired to continue as Doc. says!!

CafeLovr,

How are you doing now? I hope you are feeling much better. I'm so sorry you got dehydrated. I was scared that was happening to me about two weeks ago, so every time I pooped (SORRY)I immediately drank a bottle of water, which was about every hour on the hour. In went the water out came the P-- - - -P, from 7:00am till 7:00pm I had drank a twelve pack of water and my you know what was sore as hades!!! BUT, I finally quit by 8:00, what a relief, the next day I was pretty good. I drank water about 1 bottle every 3 hours and stayed normal. (so to speak)

SLV,

Your in our thoughts and prayers. have you received your test results? I hope your doing OK!!! Good vibes being sent your way, (((((GENTLE HUGS))))) Get you some much needed rest ~~

To everyone I may have missed (((((WARRIOR HUGS)))))

Melinda41

Brenda Sharon: I started my new round today, I will be doing Taxol and Herceptin, weekly x 12, then Herceptin every three weeks for 40 more weeks.

suzieq60

Brenda: Sorry you live so far away - that will wear you out all that driving - crap. My cousin in New Zealand lived away from where her raidation was and they had her stay for free in the town for the 5 days each week for the treatment. But, you have to work, so that sort of thing wouldn't work. I'm lucky I'm only a 15 min drive away depending on traffic.

 Melinda: Good luck with the new drugs. I've heard the taxol/herceptin is better than the AC part, but still not nice.

I'm all set for today, not in the usual good steroid mood, but getting there. Got some chores to do first, then off for the wonderful therapeutic drugs - my onc doesn't like me calling it poison.

Sue

suzieq60

Hey Brenda, tick me off for the 5th TCH - all done. Had a great nurse today!!! Please let me sleep well tonight, but I think the dexamethasone might have other ideas.

Sue

JustmeAlicia

Sue/Melinda and anyone else that is having TX this week is feeling OK.  Another one down.... 

We are on family vacation in Vermont ~ I feel pretty good !!  Nice to not have to be popping pain pills and the bowels are getting regular on their own.  NOW if only my hair would start to grow.  It seems to be at a stand still just fuzz all over. 

Have a good day my friends,

Hugs ~

Alicia

doronet

I AM DONE, I'M DONE, I'M DONE WITH CHEMO!!!  WOO HOO!!!  Now on to 6 weeks of rads, starting March 8th.  Those will take me to April 16th if I don't miss any.  Only SE should be some fatigue, but not as bad as with the chem TX.  This should be a piece of cake except for the inconvenience of going every day.  My drive is 30 mins. one -way, but at least it's in the opposite direction of Washington D.C. which means less traffic.  Next appt. is for the measuring and tattooing for rads on Feb. 25th, port out on March 3rd, and then rads. the next week. Will find 6 stretchy bracelets to signify the 6 weeks of rads and will take one off each week to count 'em down.

Have to brag:  My DH surprised me today with a beautiful necklace to commemorate the end of chemo.  Is three different colored hearts that get larger from top to bottom.  To me, they will stand for family, friends (web-friends included!), and God. 

Alicia:  I try not to look at my hair every day ("A watched pot never boils"), but can't help it. Is slow moving. The fuzz is much more comfortable than the stubble, though, especially when I sleep.  I can't wondering how long it will take to be "wearable."  Enjoy your vacation!!!!!!!!

SuePen:  I always take something to help me sleep the night before TX and the night after.  It counter-acts the Decadron for me.  Mainly just relaxes me, not knocks me out.

Melinda:  why are the Herceptin TX's so far apart?  Does it take that long to recover?  What are the SE's?  Guess there's no pill form yet?

BrendaShar:  Do you know what long-term hormone you will be on?  (You and I are ER+/Pr+,HER2-.)  I won't find out until March 9th at my med. onc. follow-up.  I'm hoping for one of the aromatase inhibitors instead of Tamoxifen since I'm post-meno.  Heard the aromatase have lesser serious SE's, though they all have some.

 Good luck to those with TX this week!  Nette

BrendaSharon

So many Wazrriors having Tx today, to each I send warm positive vibes. So many are nearing the end of this journey and are almost ready for the next step. Some are going thru rads and others meds for years and others still have surgery to deal with or those her2 girls on the Herceptin for quite sometime,

YET we have made it together, together we shared so many experiences, we cried sometime, freaked out sometimes but we even had some good laughs(Thanks SharaD)

None of us thought we could deal with it at the beginning, but look at us now!!! Each of us to be proud of our hard work. Having each other made it possible for me~~~~

                   NETTE,            jkwick74,              LiveLife/natalie 

To each of you congrats for making it over the wall to the next step of your journey,

                                             "The Healing Process"   

                 ((((((((((((((((((WARM GENTLE HEALING HUGS))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

mommy2two

doronet - Congrats on finishing chemo!

Good luck to all having a tx today and I hope the rest of you Warriors have a nice S/E free day!

Alicia - Lucky you!  How long is your vacation?  I'm glad you are enjoying yourself, you deserve it!!

Hugs to all ~ Toyah

BrendaSharon

NETTE,

I'm soo soo soo HAPPY for you  DONE CONGRATS

I am not sure exactly what med I'm on. I believe he mentioned it would be the aromabase inhibitor because I too am post meno and the Er+ Pr+, but he did not say for positive. My follow up with him isn't until April 16th. BUT, Rads today I consul, next Wed. I get mapped and then I'm suppose to start like the first week of March! March is a five week month so I hope for it to all be over with by EARLY April 1st or 2nd!

Too too sweet the necklace! What a DH you have indeed. So very special. I love your idea with the stretchy bracelets for the Rads. My Rads Onc I met with her before chemo (None of us new I was getting chemo then) and at that time she said either 5 or 6 weeks. If it's 5 weeks it will be April 2nd I'm done (if I don't miss) 6 weeks will be April 9th.

Alicia,

Hope your vacation is wonderful, You deserve every minute of joy you can get. Oh you mention VERMONT, I thought about syrup from Vermont and wanted Pancakes,  now I'm hungry again.  When all this is over I need to seriously diet and exercise!!!~~~~~not a minute sooner~~

SuePen

You go Girlfriend you are almost there too. I too have to take a sleeping pill the day before TX, as well 2 days after or else the Decadron has me wide slap  awake!!! Thank goodness for a good nurse, I loved all mine for sure they where all fantastic.

Melinda,

The Herceptin sure seems like a lot of meds. 40 doses.?????? 

 Do you know if there is much side effects to this. Do you get a shot?  So not fair. Too cotton picking long!!! ~~~ Do I need to give you a smiley for each?? I will ya know,

CafeLovr,

Just checking on you to see if that Calgon took you too far away!!    If so just enjoy the ride. And hope the RBC went down some!!!

Cat60,

How are you doing? I hope your chills and night sweats end soon~ I had those from my chemo TX's usually the first week to week and a half.

mommy2two,

And how are you? How is the Rads going?  Me and Doronette are on our way soon for the Rads. You are our leader!!!!!!! so good to hear from you!!!!

                                         ((((((((((WARRIOR HUGS))))))))))

Melinda41

Alicia:  Enjoy your vacation, you have deserved it!

Nette: congrats om being done with chemo! Woo hoo, another monkey over the wall.

Suepen: Good luck today, I notice you are Her2+ also, have they discussed your Herceptin schedule?

BrendaSharon: Just to clarify my smilie schedule, 12 weekly TX then once every three weeks to finish out a year from now. Shit, that sounds depressing when I type it. No, I did need smilies for the next year. Hopefully the rest of you will be gone and chemo will be a distant memory for you.

Side effects from Herceptin:

1. Nausea and/or vomiting

2. Rash, itching (rare)

3. Mild to moderate chills, fever, pain, nausea, vomiting and headache.

4. Occasional diarrhea

Cardiac dysfunction can occur.